Dear Everyone ~
My last post of 2020 is a tribute to the creativity and joie de vivre of two women, one of whom I know and admire, and one of whom, sadly, I will never meet.
Merrill Smith conceived her Apple a Day project in 2019, to honor the memory of her friend, Amy Krouse Rosenthal. A foundation has been established in Amy’s memory, dedicated to raising awareness of ovarian cancer. Merrill wanted a creative way to assuage her own grief and to raise money for the foundation.
My part in Merrill’s project involves her presentation boxes. She wanted to make them herself, to hold the ceramic apples she was making to sell. When Merrill first came to me and requested my private tutorial, I was thrilled about helping her realize her creative vision for such a personal project. Merrill’s generosity of spirit stayed top of mind for me as I focused on designing and constructing the presentation box, including the best way to cover it. Because I am visually oriented, at each step, as the box and materials moved from the conceptual to the tactile, my 3-D delight increased!
Merrill had planned a weekend studio sale back in November, but the pandemic put the kibosh on that. So, Merrill put up a website...and, as of the night before Christmas, she has sold 194, some with boxes and some without.
I became equally curious about Merrill’s Apple a Day project and her friendship with Amy Krouse Rosenthal. Merrill was incredibly generous with her responses, starting with reminiscing about the first time she had met Amy, fourteen years ago.
“ I was giving a dinner party, and a friend asked if she could bring Amy and her husband, Jason. I’ve said, more than once, that Amy was the best hostess gift anyone has ever given me. That evening was the beginning of the most lovely friendship. I have felt Amy’s presence so often during this project, in the people I’ve come across who have reminded me of her kindness and generosity of spirit. ”
Merrill had her Apple a Day inspiration when Amy was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
“ Apples with all their storied associations represent health to me. So many of us were fervently trying to cast good intentions out into the universe during that time, anything to try and bargain with the fates to improve those slim survival percentages to move in Amy’s favor. And so, creating these became my meditation and hope. ”
Merrill shared her apple idea with Amy who, typically, had some ideas.
“ Amy and I talked about different ways I might distribute them—at the time there were nowhere near 365. That idea came after. One idea we kicked around was to hand them out to school teachers in appreciation for all they do, just kind of randomly plopping them on a desk with a little note. Given where we are currently, and what we are expecting of teachers, that still seems like a lovely idea and I do hope that some find their way to those deserving souls. ”
Merrill had seen mugs being sold in lovely boxes, and decided she’d love to offer her apples boxed.
“ When a friend introduced me to your studio, I was so drawn to the detail, to the curated scene full of possibilities that I signed up for one of your boxmaking workshops. I remember thinking ‘Wow! That’s a lot of work.’ But the idea of being able to present an apple, that iconic shape, in something special, something that enhanced the unique nature of each of the pieces, really took hold. After our private tutorial, I left thinking again, ‘Wow! That’s a lot of work.’ I let the idea stew for a bit before committing to it. ”
Merrill has made more than 365 apples, many of which were presented in boxes she had made and covered in assorted papers. When she sent me a photo of all the boxes stacked up on her fireplace mantel, I was in complete awe. I understand, personally and professionally, the time and labour it took to make all of these boxes! I had to just sit and take it in. Merrill’s photo will remain one of my beloved images. Also, in that moment, Merrill’s project became tangible for me, overwhelming me to the point of goosebumps.
I’ve looked at the photo almost countless times and the emotion hasn’t worn off.
I end this post, and this year of posts, wishing you all peace, creativity & cautious optimism for 2021!
Gratefully, Bari